Field Hockey Dream Team: Saints, Rangers and Hawks were semi-successful

Tuesday

Feb 5, 2013 at 3:15 AM

By Mike Whaleymwhaley@fosters.com

DOVER — It was another sterling field hockey fall with three local teams pushing it to the brink. All three nearly made championship berths to highlight the 2012 season.

St. Thomas Aquinas, led by Foster’s player of the year Michelle Trainor, lost to Windham in the Division II semifinals in double overtime, 3-2. Marshwood, which won the 2011 Western Maine Class A crown as the fifth seed, fell this past year in the semis to Cheverus, 1-0, in Cape Elizabeth, and Traip was ousted in the Western Class C semis by No. 1 Lisbon, 2-1.

Also making the playoffs, but losing in the opening rounds were Dover in Division I, Kingswood in D-II and Somersworth in D-III.

How the team was picked: Area coaches nominated players from their teams and offered in put on player of the year and coach of the year. The sports staff made the final selections.

MICHELLE TRAINOR

St. Thomas Aquinas

The senior sweeper anchored an STA defense that allowed just 10 goals in 16 games. Trainor was named D-II all-state first team for the second straight year, leading the Saints to a 13-3 mark and a second straight trip to the D-II semis. She plans to play field hockey at Wheaton College (Mass.).

In the mix for the award with Trainor were teammate Gabbi Dodier and Marshwood’s Sammy Crosman.

“She coached the team out there,” said STA coach Sara Carpenter. “She was my eyes on the field, the last line of defense.”

LISA TRUESDALE

Marshwood

Coach Truesdale guided the Hawks to a second straight trip to the playoffs, which included a quarterfinal win over Sanford and a semifinals loss to Cheverus. Over two years, she has led the team to a 27-7 record. Truesdale was named SMAA coach of the year.

“Now that she has established her program, she has continued with consistent success over the past few seasons,” STA’s Carpenter said. “She is to be commended for the terrifc coach that she is.”

GABBI DODIER

St. Thomas Aquinas

The junior forward was named D-II first team all-state and scored a school-record 21 goals in leading the Saints to the D-III semis for the second straight season. “The spark plug of our offense that scored 41 goals on the season,” said coach Carpenter.

NICOLE MATAROZZO

Kingswood

The senior forward was a two-time captain and scored nine goals for the Knights this season, earning D-II first team all-state honors.

“Four of those goals were in overtime in sudden victory,” said coach Kaitlin Reilly.

BRITTNEY SORBELLO

Dover

The senior member of Dover’s team from her midfield position, earning D-I first team all-state honors. She helped the Green Wave to the playoffs with an overall record of 5-10.

“She controlled play in the midfield,” said coach MJ Hippern. “Her speed was amazing.”

SAMMY CROSMAN

Marshwood

The senior midfielder was the Hawks’ MVP, and was named to the MFHA all-state team and the All-SMAA first team. She had six goals and five assists.

“Her smart, heads-up play was instrumental in our success this season,” said coach Truesdale. “She was selfless and oftentimes saw the play emerge before anyone else did.”

LINDSEY POIRIER

Marshwood

The sophomore midfielder had seven goals and 12 assists, and was named to the MFHA all-state team, as well as All-SMAA first team.

“Lindsey is a remarkable player with so much poise and confidence under pressure,” said coach Truesdale. “She can eliminate opponents with her great stick skills and can also set up offensive surges with her heads-up passing and quick hits.”

KAELI MCPHEE

Oyster River

The senior midfielder was a two-time first team all-state pick in D-II and the Bobcats’ MVP. A four-year starter, she had three goals and five assists for a team that scored just 14 goals.

“Everything we did went through her,” said coach Mark Smallwood. “She was an outstanding defender, but I needed her up.”

ASHLEY CALDWELL

Traip Academy

The senior midfielder led the Rangers to the Western Maine Class C semis and a final record of 9-6-1. She was named to the MFHA all-state team, and first team All-Western Maine Conference Class C.

“She was the girl that kept the flow of the game moving,” said coach Kelly Miller. “She was a key attribute to our team.”

ERINN VITTUM

Kingswood

The senior defender was named D-II all-state first team and was picked to the New Hampshire Twin State team.

“She is an incredible athlete who played every minute of every game and always gave 100 percent,” said coach Reilly. “She was an important part of our overtime lineup that helped us in six overtime games that concluded with four wins and two ties.”

KAITLIN CARR

Marshwood

The senior back was a co-captain and was named All-SMAA second team. The backbone of a defensive unit that allowed just 14 goals.

“Kaitlin leads by example and is the type of player who is there to promote her team and their successes before her own,” said coach Truesdale. “Her defense is often flawless and she makes it look effortless.”

ALLISON SWEENEY

Somersworth

The junior keeper led the Hilltoppers to the D-III playoffs, was named D-III first team all-state and had 130-plus saves in net.

“She always had a positive attitude,” said coach Meaghan Cyr Michalik. “She went out and gave 110 percent every game.”

JESSICA MORRIS, Noble — The senior defender was named All-SMAA second team;

BRITTANY LINANE, Portsmouth — The sophomore goalie was named D-II first team all-state;

MEGHAN HILL, Dover — The senior goalie had a 1.6 GAA, three shutouts and 114 saves;

ERIKA LEACH, Dover — The senior center halfback was named second team all-state in D-I;

ABBY RIST, St. Thomas — The senior midfielder was a D-II all-state second team pick;

SANDRA STROGEN, Oyster River — The junior midfielder was named D-II First team all-state;